MEMA urges residents to know their evacuation zone

Wednesday

Aug 9, 2017 at 11:09 AMAug 31, 2017 at 12:55 PM

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) urges residents who live or work in one of the state’s coastal communities or along a river to learn if they are in a pre-designated Hurricane Evacuation Zone.

The rivers and other waterways connected to the ocean may be impacted by storm surge so the state has developed evacuation plans, and ask residents to be prepared to evacuate areas that may be inundated with flood waters as a result of an approaching hurricane or tropical storm.

“Evacuations in advance of a hurricane or tropical storm making landfall may be necessary due to the danger and threat of storm surge,” MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz said in a press release. “Residents and visitors in coastal areas are urged to learn if they are in an evacuation zone and to make evacuation plans in advance of a storm.”

The portion of the hurricane season that traditionally is most active is August through October.

Know Your Evacuation Zone

Massachusetts has established hurricane evacuation zones in each of the state’s coastal communities. These zones -- Zones A, B and C -- identify the areas of coastal communities that are at risk for storm surge flooding from tropical storms or hurricanes.

Use this MEMA map to find out what zone you are in. The maroon is Zone A, the yellow is Zone B, and the green is Zone C. Please also know this map is data heavy as you can zoom to a street view, so it takes a moment to load.

Courtesy Graphic/MEMA

If evacuations are necessary because of an approaching tropical storm or hurricane, local or state officials will use the hurricane evacuation zones to call for people living, working or vacationing in these areas to evacuate.

It is important to note that even areas not directly along a coastline may be at risk for storm surge flooding during a tropical storm or hurricane.

Find out if you live, work or vacation in a hurricane evacuation zone by visiting the ‘Know Your Zone’ interactive map also located on MEMA’s website at www.mass.gov/knowyourzone.

Make an Evacuation Plan

Those who are located in a designated evacuation zone, should be prepared to evacuate well before a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall. The rule of thumb is that evacuations should be completed before the onset of tropical storm force winds.

Know how to receive emergency information, including recommendations or orders to evacuate.

1 - Sign up for your community’s emergency alerting system.

2 - Monitor news broadcasts.

3 - Download the free Massachusetts Alerts smartphone app from MEMA.

4 - Follow MEMA on Twitter or Facebook.

Follow @MassEMA

5 - Follow your local emergency management agency, and other local public safety agencies on social media.

Make a Family Emergency Plan. If you must evacuate, know where you will go, how you will get there, what you will bring. Make sure that your plan includes provisions for children, seniors, and family members with disabilities or medical issues.
Include your pets in your Family Emergency Plan. While service animals will be allowed inside shelters, household pets are not allowed in all shelters. Go to MEMA’s Pets and Animals in Emergencies webpage for additional tips. Remember: “If you go, they go!"
Assemble an emergency kit. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry kit that you can take with you in case you must evacuate.
If you or a family member may require special assistance to evacuate, ask local officials about special assistance programs or registries.
If you undergo routine medical treatments or receive home health services, work with your service providers in advance to understand their emergency plans and to find backup providers that you might use in an emergency.
Keep your car fueled if an evacuation seems likely. Gas stations may be closed during an emergency, or unable to pump gas during power outages.
If you do not have personal transportation or a way to evacuate (such as public transportation), make transportation arrangements with family, friends or your local government.

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